IndiGo jet strikes pole during Srinagar landing all 186 people safe

IndiGo flight from Navi Mumbai hits pole at Srinagar airport during landing By Riya Mehta, BBC News, September 4 2026 A domestic IndiGo jet that departed from Navi Mumbai’s domestic terminal late on Thursday evening clipped a concrete pole while attempting to land at Srinagar’s Sheikh‑ul‑Alam International Airport. The aircraft, an Airbus A320‑200 registered as VT‑IXZ, touched down on runway 31 at approximately 22:15 local time before the left wingtip struck the pole supporting the airport’s passenger‑boarding bridge. The impact caused a brief loss of hydraulic pressure but the pilots managed to bring the plane to a stop on the runway without further incident..

Emergency services were immediately deployed, and the airport was temporarily shut for safety checks. The flight, IndiGo 6E‑503, was carrying 180 passengers and six crew members. All aboard were reported safe, with only minor injuries recorded among a handful of passengers who suffered bruises and cuts from the sudden jolt..

The airline’s spokesperson, Ananya Sharma, confirmed that none of the injuries required hospitalisation and that passengers were being escorted to a nearby hotel while the investigation proceeds. “Our priority is the well‑being of our customers and crew,” Sharma said, adding that the airline will provide full refunds or re‑booking options for those wishing to travel later. Initial reports suggest that the pole, which supports the jet bridge that connects the terminal to the aircraft, may have been positioned too close to the runway’s safety margin..

Airport officials, led by Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) inspector Rajiv Kumar, have launched a joint probe involving the DGCA, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the airport’s own safety committee. “We are collecting data from the aircraft’s flight‑data recorder, cockpit voice recorder and ground‑based surveillance to determine why the aircraft’s trajectory deviated from the standard glide path,” Kumar told reporters at a press briefing on Friday. The incident has reignited debate over the adequacy of runway safety zones at several Indian airports, particularly those situated in challenging terrain..

Srinagar’s runway, flanked by the Himalayan foothills, has previously been the site of wind‑shear alerts and occasional low‑visibility landings during the winter months. Aviation safety experts note that while modern aircraft are equipped with sophisticated navigation systems, human factors such as fatigue and unfamiliarity with local conditions can still play a role. Captain Arvind Singh, the pilot in command, has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation, a routine procedure in Indian aviation incidents..

Sources close to the airline say Singh, a veteran with more than 8,000 flight hours, had completed a routine check‑out on the route a week earlier and had no prior safety concerns flagged in his log. “He performed an exemplary emergency landing under difficult circumstances, averting a potentially catastrophic outcome,” said a senior IndiGo official, who requested anonymity. The aircraft’s left wing sustained damage to its leading edge and the flaps, prompting the airline to declare the plane a total loss on the technical side, though the airframe remains largely intact..

Maintenance crews from IndiGo’s engineering division were dispatched to assess the structural integrity, and the aircraft is expected to be towed to a hangar for a detailed inspection. If repairs prove uneconomical, the airline may retire the jet, adding to the ongoing fleet renewal programme that aims to replace older aircraft with newer, more fuel‑efficient models. Passengers who were on board expressed relief that the situation was handled without loss of life..

“It was terrifying for a few seconds, but the crew were calm and guided us through,” said Neha Patel, a software engineer traveling to Srinagar for a family wedding. “The airline’s staff took care of us, gave us food and arranged transport. I’m grateful we’re all okay.” Other travellers echoed similar sentiments, praising the swift response of airport fire and medical teams, who arrived within minutes of the impact..

The incident has also prompted a review of the airport’s infrastructure. The pole that was struck is part of a newly installed jet bridge that was commissioned earlier this year to replace older walk‑throughs. Airport authorities have temporarily halted the use of that bridge while a structural audit is performed..

“We are cooperating fully with the investigation and will make any necessary modifications to ensure compliance with international safety standards,” said Sheikh‑ul‑Alam Airport’s managing director, Farooq Ahmad. The DGCA has issued a temporary advisory to all airlines operating into Srinagar, recommending increased vigilance during the final approach phase and advising pilots to use the Instrument Landing System (ILS) rather than visual cues where possible. The advisory also calls for a review of the airport’s obstacle clearance chart, which lists all fixed objects within the runway’s protected zone..

“A clear understanding of the obstacle environment is critical, especially in airports with limited runway width,” Kumar added. In the broader context, this incident marks the third major runway‑related event in India this year, following a runway excursion at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport in March and a near‑miss at Bangalore’s Kempegowda International in July. Aviation safety watchdogs have called for a nationwide audit of runway safety areas, citing the rapid expansion of air traffic in the post‑pandemic era..

“We must ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with the growing volume of flights,” said Dr. Meera Joshi, a senior analyst at the International Air Transport Association’s Indian chapter. IndiGo, India’s largest low‑cost carrier, has reiterated its commitment to safety, stating that it will cooperate fully with investigators and implement any.